Regular Exercise, How do you do it.

[simple girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pellice So I'm looking for strength training that works even if you're not doing it perfectly, and for balance training that works even if your form is off.

Well, proper form is important to reduce your risk of injury. That said, perhaps you would find this article helpful. It is written by a physical therapist (who happens to be retired early) and includes key exercises for maintaining our bodies as we age.

Staying Strong in Retirement

[Music Lover]

Proper form prevents injury...and if the weight you are using is too light then you're not getting the full benefit.

[Dalmore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pellice So I'm looking for strength training that works even if you're not doing it perfectly, and for balance training that works even if your form is off.

I would recommend finding a good Pilates studio. They do great core strength training and stretching that is designed around your capabilities. They will give you guidance on form, but also encouragement as you try and get better. Some trainers are more "correcting" than others (change instructors if you don't like them), but it is all designed to make sure you are using the correct muscles.

[Chuckanut]

My problems with gyms is the incessant noise caused by TV's blasting us with loud music and commercials for everything from muscle building drinks to bank credit cards. Then the Zomba and aerobics classes start, blasting more loud music throughout the gym. Add in the grunters and groaners who drop their heavy weights with a huge BANG! Enough! I will exercise at home.

At least 1/2 the people at the gym bring their own portable music with them. Can't the gym owners take a hint?

[Scrapr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by simple girl Well, proper form is important to reduce your risk of injury. That said, perhaps you would find this article helpful. It is written by a physical therapist (who happens to be retired early) and includes key exercises for maintaining our bodies as we age. Staying Strong in Retirement

Thanks for this. I am looking for core strengthing. I'm going to try these exercises

[mystang52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pellice I'm looking over this thread again ... I may need some encouragement and ideas. My very old pedal (i.e. non-electric) treadmill is giving me problems. It's the only exercise that's ever worked for me. I hate gyms. I've dropped out of every exercise class I've signed up for ... but I was faithful to my treadmill. I'm scared to do without it. This may be an opportunity, if I look at it correctly. I don't do strength training. I don't do balance training. Maybe I can add them, if I try that fun-looking H20 workout recommended by onemorehappycamper. But I am turned off by all those strength training things that require you to work at achieving "perfect form" or exercises that are supposedly useless if not "done correctly." I tried all one summer to use machines at the gym and then had an acquaintance come and tell me I was doing them "all wrong." I tried a half day with a trainer who was awful and completely indifferent to middle-aged females. I tried a hatha yoga class where the instructor was into a Buddhist silence and never said a single word to me nor offered a comment for all the six sessions I attended. So I'm looking for strength training that works even if you're not doing it perfectly, and for balance training that works even if your form is off.

Depending on your ultimate goal, 100% correct form may not be required. Over the years I've had a few minor injuries from my weight resistance exercises. I'm pretty sure they were due to me pushing my limits, or who knows maybe it was form. Anyway, I've been fine the last several years by a quite-simple solution: I just keep the weight resistance at less than what I can theoretically do. I'm only interested in some tone, not to be tight as a drum. So, this simple attitude and approach works for me. Maybe if the weights were higher my form/technique would be more of a factor YMMV.

[Retired Expat]

I always said I would go in the morning but didn’t. Much better for me is afternoon anytime. Being retired just love it getting up at the crack of dawn, drinking a leisurely cafe con leche in my robe and reading the news.

Also find that exercise a few hours before dinner helps control my blood sugar.

You just have to keep trying and be flexible. If you settle on 11am and can’t make it go at 2, or 4, just go!

[Pellice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystang52 Depending on your ultimate goal, 100% correct form may not be required. Over the years I've had a few minor injuries from my weight resistance exercises. I'm pretty sure they were due to me pushing my limits, or who knows maybe it was form. Anyway, I've been fine the last several years by a quite-simple solution: I just keep the weight resistance at less than what I can theoretically do. I'm only interested in some tone, not to be tight as a drum. So, this simple attitude and approach works for me. Maybe if the weights were higher my form/technique would be more of a factor YMMV.

Mystang, I think you might be right. I just don't want to think about exercise much, just do it. That's what I liked about my treadmill. Could roll out of bed, have a coffee and hop onto it without any thinking. It was just steady walking uphill. And defining the goals (I think simplegirl brought this up earlier) is good to do in advance. Like you, I'm not on a quest to find my limits.

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut My problems with gyms is the incessant noise caused by TV's blasting us with loud music and commercials for everything from muscle building drinks to bank credit cards.

At my gym, you have to plug in your earbuds to hear the TVs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut Then the Zomba and aerobics classes start, blasting more loud music throughout the gym.

At my gym, the classes are located in relatively soundproof rooms, on a different floor from the rest of the gym equipment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut Add in the grunters and groaners who drop their heavy weights with a huge BANG!

The weight lifting area at my gym is over in a corner away from the rest of the machines, and has mats that absorb most of that sound.

They play soft "oldies but goodies" on the PA, and that disguises the sounds too. For a while they started playing more up-to-date music and the clientele hated it! So due to all the complaints, they went back to oldies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut Enough! I will exercise at home. At least 1/2 the people at the gym bring their own portable music with them. Can't the gym owners take a hint?

You need to check out some other gyms in your area! Seriously, gyms are so different from one another. For example, mine is the most expensive gym around (and is unusually well equipped), and is run by a local hospital. It does not have any child care facility for mothers to use while working out, and no kids are allowed; most of the clientele are seniors.

[rodi]

The noise thing isn't a problem, for the most part, at my local Y. The tvs require headphones, or pairing bluetooth earbuds, for the cardio machines. If you forget your buds you can see closed captioning. For my weight machine circuit I just listen to my own music or podcasts... The classroom is adjacent but has a lot of soundproofing. The grunts from the weightlifters can be annoying... and even though there are mats under the heavy weights they still make a loud thud if they are dropped. What is worse is the overly macho guys on the machines who decide to 'drop' the weights rather than lowering them - even on the precor machines this can be loud. I just glare at them to give them a hint.

Back to the OP - when I retired I made a promise to myself to get in better shape. I dropped 20-25 lbs pretty quickly but then haven't dropped any since. That said I'm in better shape than I was before - stronger, more endurance, clothes are 2 sizes smaller and fit better... But I'm still technically obese.

My routine is to walk the dog 2.5-3 miles every morning. Then work out with cardio and weights every other day. Make it a habit - it becomes routine...

[HughJass]

Lots of great advice in this thread. I FIRE’d 3 yrs ago and, depending on weather, get my exercise most days either at the gym with DW, on my bike, walking the dog, golf, or a treadmill at home. For me, these are MUSTS:
1) If it’s drudgery & you don’t look forward to it, forget it.
2) Media to avoid monotony - earphones in the gym, bluetooth speaker on the bike, iPad movies on the treadmill.
3) Set goals. # miles to walk or cycle, pounds of weight to lift, consecutive days to exercise... any goal that keeps you challenged. 1st year retired I set a goal of biking 5K miles outside and achieved it.
4) Whenever possible, have an exercise partner.
Good luck to all doing their best to keep healthy!

[friar1610]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HughJass Lots of great advice in this thread. I FIRE’d 3 yrs ago and, depending on weather, get my exercise most days either at the gym with DW, on my bike, walking the dog, golf, or a treadmill at home. For me, these are MUSTS: 1) If it’s drudgery & you don’t look forward to it, forget it. 2) Media to avoid monotony - earphones in the gym, bluetooth speaker on the bike, iPad movies on the treadmill. 3) Set goals. # miles to walk or cycle, pounds of weight to lift, consecutive days to exercise... any goal that keeps you challenged. 1st year retired I set a goal of biking 5K miles outside and achieved it. 4) Whenever possible, have an exercise partner. Good luck to all doing their best to keep healthy!

Great screen name! Did you choose that before you started exercising? Or is it why you do now?

[Mo Money]

Usually go to the gym. But with Covid-19, I am doing a daily long walk, followed by pushups and planks. Keeping it simple for the duration.

[HughJass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by friar1610 Great screen name! Did you choose that before you started exercising? Or is it why you do now?

Actually, I shortened it from Juan Hugh Jass. Guess I watched too many Simpsons episodes in my misspent youth!

[Rianne]

I miss the YMCA pool. I hope they come up with safe distancing and allow a few people at a time in the pool and locker rooms. I'll bring my own sanitizer and wipe everything down. DH/me keep wishing we put that treadmill in our house. We discussed it so many times. At least can weight lift at home, heavy food cans will do. I'm starting to dance in front of the TV.

[athena53]

I was diligent about working out daily at the gym. That's out now but I have a treadmill at home. I hate running but have cranked up the angle and the speed to simulate a fast uphill walk. I also got my TRX out of the closet- hadn't used it much since I bought it years ago. Now I love it for its great upper-body workouts. I may skip the upper-body exercise machines from now on after I return to the gym. Sometimes a forced change in routines results in some good substitutes!

I continue to work out because I don't want to cut back on eating, which is one of the few ways I can amuse myself now.

[NewEnglander]

My wife and I have been continuing to ride our bikes. We ride about 150-200 miles per week. But now neighboring states have issued executive orders for all citizens to wear face coverings while outside. Connecticut hasn't yet but they probably will in the next few days. How are runners or cyclists going to run or ride with face covering, have you ever tried it? Some people say just get a mesh material to make it look like you have a face mask on. The thing is we are in a rural area and we never get within even 10 feet of anyone especially when road riding. On last nights mountain bike ride I saw only 6-8 people but most were at least 20 feet from me. Seems like it would make sense in a city but not out here.

[mystang52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewEnglander My wife and I have been continuing to ride our bikes. We ride about 150-200 miles per week. But now neighboring states have issued executive orders for all citizens to wear face coverings while outside. Connecticut hasn't yet but they probably will in the next few days. How are runners or cyclists going to run or ride with face covering, have you ever tried it? Some people say just get a mesh material to make it look like you have a face mask on. The thing is we are in a rural area and we never get within even 10 feet of anyone especially when road riding. On last nights mountain bike ride I saw only 6-8 people but most were at least 20 feet from me. Seems like it would make sense in a city but not out here.

I still run outside; I wear a cloth mask my daughter made for me. It's not the most comfortable, but really not bad at all. Biggest issue is tendency of my sunglasses to fog from the exhalations. I either push the sunglasses to front of my nose or run without them. I'm a slow runner. If you ride "competitively" I can't answer how it would affect your riding; otherwise I think the adjustment will be easy. First time out, be sure you keep the straps somewhat loose until you find the right tension for you.

[jollystomper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewEnglander How are runners or cyclists going to run or ride with face covering, have you ever tried it?

I have hay fever and have been riding with both a N95 mask and eye googles for years during peak allergy time. It works fine for me. While I am not trying to set any speed records, I have no issues going along at a good pace. It beats having the pollen impact my eyes and sinuses. A side benefit is keeping bugs off my face.

[Ronstar]

^ Wow - riding and running with masks on (especially N95) is impressive. I was thinking about starting running again after a 3 month layoff. But there is no way I could run with a mask on. Maybe bike, but not run.

Several cities in northern illinois now have mask requirements while outside. I live in somewhat of a rural area so I don't expect that I'll have to wear a mask while exercising outside.

However, the police are fining runners/bikers $195 for running or riding on local trails.